22 – Mystery at Almus

"Commander Arthur, may I have a moment of your time?"

"Ah. Kasumi-san. Of course. What can I help you with?"

Back in the kingdom, the heroes were given some free time. Overworking them would make them inefficient. So it was important to also give them days to relax. And currently, during her free time, Hidorima Kasumi, the Hero with pretty, glossy and long black hair, and the biggest breasts, was bothered by something.

"The kingdom gets letters and requests from the villages and towns under its rule."

"Yes. The adventurers guild can't handle everything and at times, the kingdom has to directly interfere. Either via laws or military. But where are you going with this?"

"I couldn't help not noticing. This particular letter. It's always getting ignored. As if people are just throwing it away."

Kasumi handed the letter to commander Arthur. A letter requesting assistance from the small town of Almus.

“Ah! This one, huh? Well how should I put this. This is a particular case.”

Almus was the furthest town from the kingdom. It almost symbolizes the border. And the request from the letter was simple. ‘Please save us from the Ripper’.

“Kasumi-san, the story behind the Almus Ripper is a vague and shady one. There is a reason this request gets ignored. Mostly because the Ripper is a combination between myth and reality.

Apparently at night, a monster lurks on the streets of Almus. If the people shut their doors and windows the monster does not attack the buildings. But whoever wanders on the streets at night is killed by this beast.”

“Then what part about this story is a myth?”

“Well we did send troops there, but they never returned. That’s a fact. However the myth part comes from the People’s Champion.”

“People’s Champion?”

“Humanity has one warrior that they always can count on. The strongest human, Heraklios.”

“Heraklios?”

Kasumi tilted her head. For a second the image of the Olympian legends from greek mythology flashed through her mind. Could this person have any similarity to the greek hero Hercules?

“Heraklios is a man that was trailed by the Gods themselves and came out on top.”

“If such a powerful man exists, shouldn’t he be the one to face off against the Demon King?”

Commander Arthur shook his head and elaborated. Heraklios was a man that looked after humans. Before the Demon King’s army would trample the lands, people would suffer from magical beast attacks, goblins, orcs and other monsters. If the kingdom is focused on the Demon King’s movements, who would defend the people?

He became a beacon of hope for many. Traveling from town to town, from village to village to village. Anywhere his help was needed. Even if the Empress herself would order his participation in the war, that man only listens to himself.

Of course, not even the Empress can lay a hand on him. If she would order anyone to move against it, a riot on a large scale would most likely erupt and her rule would be seriously put under judgement.

“I see. He must really be an impressive man.”

“Don’t worry. You guys are Heroes and will eventually be on the same level. Anyway, regarding the situation in Almus, Heraklios himself went there. He spent 3 days and 3 nights in that town. However, each night… the Ripper never showed up while he was there.

Heraklios couldn’t stay there forever, so with regrets he moved on. Other adventurers investigated and went missing too afterwards. And that’s why this request is mostly ignored. We simply don’t have the resources to deal with fairy tales here.”

Kasumi made a troubled face.

“You don’t have to worry, Kasumi-san. As long as the people stay indoors at night, they are safe. I guess you can think of it like a nightmare. Each night, they have a bad dream, but eventually they wake up safe and sound.”

“I understand. Do you think it would be possible to go there at some point?”

“Haha. Spoken like a true Hero. Maybe one day when you’ll be as strong as Heraklios. Keep working hard until that day, ok?”

“Yes. I understand, Commander. Thank you for your time.”

------

"It's going to get dark soon, Shishou." (Sasha)

We were currently riding on a rather peculiar mount. It totally looked like a dinosaur. Velociraptor to be more precise. It was as big as a horse. I didn’t understand why the stable master didn’t give us horses. Maybe he just doesn't like people from different races.

Then again, it was cheap and it can carry all 3 of us, so I shouldn't complain. These raptor creatures were called Galleons. Apparently it had something to do with the name of the family that discovered and first tamed these creatures.

Feels weird. They’re still raptors in my eyes. And honestly, when you think of lizards or crocodiles, you don’t see them as stamina creatures. But hey… it’s a different world after all. They were friendly though. Mine kept wanting to lick my face.

Leaving the mount aside, Sasha was right.

"It's alright girls. We should be there soon. But just to make sure…"

On the edge of the road I saw a man cooking some sort of stew at a campfire. I signaled my Galleon to stop.

"Excuse me sir, but is this the right way to Almus?"

"Almus? Yeah. If you keep following the road you'll get there. But, I would camp in some other place if I were you girls. If you want, I don't mind sharing my fire with you 3."

"Hmm? I don't get your reasoning. Why would we stop?"

"Because it will be night by the time you reach Almus. Anyway, why would you want to go there to begin with?"

"I have my reasons."

It's the last place I can get some provisions and afterwards I will finally be free from this shitty kingdom. So what's this guy afraid of? They don't have inns there or something?

"Well, suit yourselves. Don't say I didn't warn you."

I signaled my Galleon to proceed further.

"Do you girls have any idea what that guy was talking about?"

"Don't ask me. This town wasn't around during the time when I was alive. At least that's what I think. I can't remember…" (Yuki)

"No clue." (Stella)

"Maybe he's just a pervert that wanted to have his way with us." (Sasha)

True. There's always that possibility. Although if he only knew what I had in my pants, he would quickly get cold feet.

"Anyway, we'll get there in a few more hours. I'll let you sleep tomorrow all day, so try staying awake."

"Got it!" (x2)